Barangay Food Terminal to rise in city
Barangay San Jose of this city is now listed among the possible sites for the establishment of a Barangay Food Terminal here in Iloilo City.
This was after Punong Barangay Antonio Coo has expressed interest for the establishment of such project in his area, according to DA 6 Agribusiness and Marketing Division (AMAD) Chief Maria Teresa Solis.
Solis said they are now waiting for the Barangay Resolution and other pertinent requirements from Brgy. San Jose for submission to DA Central Office for validation.
The BFT or talipapa project is being undertaken by the government to ensure a steady supply of food for poor families at affordable prices. This barangay-based depot and distribution system will sell commodities like meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits around 5 to 10 percent lower than those sold in regular outlets.
The project is part of the anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo along with the "Gulayan ng Masa", Food-for-School and "Tindahan Natin" programs.
Recently, stressing the importance of DA meeting the BFT's target of reaching 200,000 families by April 2007, President Arroyo instructed the agency to establish more barangay food terminals where the poor can have access to cheap food and basic commodities.
The BFT forms part of the DA's measures expected to help the President realize her commitment of social payback to the people through her "8 for'08" priority programs that focuses on job creation, cost of living improvement, peso appreciation, gaining more investment, improving education, pro-poor, healthcare, housing and hunger mitigation, anti-terrorism measures, and a green Philippines.
(PIA)